Speaker Boehner: "This common-sense legislation reflects the will of the people and deserves the support of the House. It is one of our highest legislative priorities. As such, I have directed that it receive the designation of H.R. 3."
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) held a press conference today to discuss the introduction of the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act," Pledge to America legislation that would codify the Hyde Amendment by permanently prohibiting taxpayer funding of abortion across all federal programs. During his opening remarks, Speaker Boehner announced that he has directed that this bill receive the designation of H.R. 3 as "one of our highest legislative priorities."
Following are Speaker Boehner's opening remarks:
- "Our new majority has pledged to listen and focus on the will of the people. We've begun to carry out this commitment by cutting our own budget and repealing the job-destroying health care law.
"Today we're here to talk about keeping another commitment to the people -- and that is ensuring their tax dollars are never used to fund abortions.
"A ban on taxpayer funding of abortion is the will of the people and ought to be the law of the land. But current law -- particularly as enforced by this Administration -- does not reflect the will of the people.
"Last year, we listened to the people through our America Speaking Out project, and they spoke out on this issue -- loudly and clearly. So we included it in our Pledge to America, and today we begin to make good on that commitment.
"Congressman Chris Smith has introduced bipartisan legislation that codifies the Hyde Amendment and other similar policies by permanently applying a ban on taxpayer funding of abortion across all federal programs.
"This common-sense legislation reflects the will of the people and deserves the support of the House. It is one of our highest legislative priorities. As such, I have directed that it receive the designation of H.R. 3. I appreciate Congressman Smith's steadfast leadership on this critical issue."
Contact: Michael Steel, Brendan Buck, Kevin Smith
